Bell Labs Develops T1, the First Digitally Multiplexed Transmission of Voice Signals, Foundation of the Convergence of Computing and Telecommunications

In 1962, Bell Labs developed the first digitally multiplexed transmission of voice signals. The first version, the Transmission System 1 (T1),  could transmit up to 24 telephone calls simultaneously over a single transmission line of copper wire. This innovation not only created a more economical, robust and flexible network design for voice traffic, but also laid the groundwork for today's advanced network services such as 911, 800-numbers, call-waiting and caller-ID. In addition, digital networking was the foundation for the convergence of computing and telecommunications.